Boules in the Park

The first of the new Cornwall winter event series took place in Boscawen Park, Truro, on Sunday 26 November, with seven pairs turning out in spite of a less than favourable weather forecast.

The Met Office promised us a 90% chance of heavy rain, gusty winds and a feels-like temperature of only 5 degrees. As it happened there were a few minutes of a light mizzle, no wind and it was reasonably warm with an occasional glimmer of sun - Roy Pemberton (Coaching Inn PC) played in shirt sleeves!

The going on the park piste was good to soft in places, with occasional stony patches and plenty of subtle ups and downs, just to make it interesting. For shooting it was almost entirely boule to boule (as it should be); landing short just bounced over the target boule. A great venue, with lots of activity around, a cafe (good bacon rolls) and toilets near at hand.

And there was the return of an old 'face': Jock Turnham turned up with his son, Mike, for his first Kernow Petanque game in what seems like a long while. Good to see both of them.

And the result? Top place with three wins (OK, two wins and a bye) went to Colin 'Boot' Booth (North Inn PC) and Graeme Kirkham (Tregony). Second were Pete Lynas (Tregony) and Sue Hardy, on 2 wins (including a bye) and +11, and third Andy Rose (Rising Sun PC) and Pete English (North Inn) with 2 wins and +8.

No prizes, but definitely a good event, and a great opportunity for those who were at Brian Stote's coaching session last weekend to put some of the ideas acquired into practice. Or not.

Next in the series is scheduled for 10 December in St Anthony's Gardens, Penzance. Full details nearer the time.